Matt Lawrence

I am a freshman and I ended up taking this class with professor Lawrence because I needed a fourth class. I ended up really enjoying this class and professor Lawrence's teaching style (which encourages discussions in class) that I am taking another class with him this semester. I would heavily recommend Professor Lawrence as his class is relatively low maintenence all you have to do is turn in the essays, discussion boards and participate in class. There are three essays, however he turned the 2nd paper into a group presentation instead and you have to fill out the discussion boards. My only issue with professor Lawrence is that he makes his papers due at 5 pm for some reason.

I am a freshman and I ended up taking this class with professor Lawrence because I needed a fourth class. I ended up really enjoying this class and professor Lawrence's teaching style (which encourages discussions in class) that I am taking another class with him this semester. I would heavily recommend Professor Lawrence as his clas …Read more

The course is insightful into how we perceive college and university as a society, and the professor is very transparent in his awareness of how our school experience is and what issues we are facing.

Inequality and the American Dream was one of the most thought-provoking courses I have taken, offering a deeper look into the social, political, and economic factors that shape opportunity and mobility in the United States. The class explored both the promise and the limitations of the American Dream, questioning to what extent it is accessible across lines of race, class, gender, and geography. Through a combination of readings, lectures, and discussions, we examined key issues such as income inequality, educational access, housing disparities, and the influence of public policy on life chances. One of the strengths of the course was its interdisciplinary approach. The professor drew on sociology, economics, history, and political science to paint a fuller picture of inequality. We read both classic works and contemporary studies, which allowed us to trace how the concept of the American Dream has evolved over time. The inclusion of personal narratives, documentaries, and data analysis assignments made the material especially engaging and relatable. Class discussions were central to the learning experience. Students were encouraged to voice their perspectives and connect course material to current events, from debates over student debt to the effects of gentrification. This created a lively and respectful classroom atmosphere where we could wrestle with difficult questions about fairness, meritocracy, and systemic barriers. The assignments were challenging but rewarding. Reflection essays required us to apply theory to personal or observed experiences, while research projects pushed us to investigate a specific dimension of inequality in depth. These tasks sharpened critical thinking and writing skills while making the course material feel highly relevant. Overall, this course broadened my understanding of inequality in America and forced me to reconsider the idea of the American Dream. It is a class I would recommend to anyone interested in social justice, policy, or the realities of contemporary American life.

Inequality and the American Dream was one of the most thought-provoking courses I have taken, offering a deeper look into the social, political, and economic factors that shape opportunity and mobility in the United States. The class explored both the promise and the limitations of the American Dream, questioning to what extent it is …Read more